The Washington Wizards (5-13) meet the Miami Heat (7-14) for a second straight game at the American Airlines Arena Friday. The tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Wizards-Heat NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
This is the third and final regular-season Wizards-Heat meeting with each team winning a game and Washington beating Miami Wednesday 103-100 as 9-point road dogs.
The Heat’s 128-124 win over the Wizards Jan. 9 came against a Washington team missing the NBA’s leading scorer—Bradley Beal—and 2016-17 MVP Russell Westbrook.
Despite Miami being in the Finals last season, and Washington never really contending for a postseason berth, the Wizards have played the Heat tough over the last two seasons. Washington is only 2-4 in the last six, but they’ve covered the spread in five of those games.
Wizards at Heat: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Wizards +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Heat -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Wizards +6.5 (-110) | Heat -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Wizards at Heat: Key injuries
Wizards
- None affecting the betting odds.
Heat
- PG Goran Dragic (knee) probable
- SG Avery Bradley (calf) out
- SF Maurice Harkless (thigh) out
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Wizards at Heat: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Heat 119, Wizards 115
Money line (ML)
PASS with a lean on the Wizards (+220) since Washington plus the points is the only side I’d play in this spot. As someone who made a lot of money off of Miami’s 2020 NBA Finals run, I imagine the Heat are going to go on a winning streak here soon.
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Against the spread (ATS)
Both teams have been abysmal lately for a similar reason, (COVID-related absences) but I think the NBA community is more willing to give Miami the benefit of the doubt since they were in the Finals last season.
And while that’s fair, the Wizards have kept these head-to-head games competitive recently, and they are at least 11th in offensive rating whereas the Heat are below average on both sides of the floor.
I lean WIZARDS +6.5 (-110) for a half-unit because it’s too many points given their head-to-head history and Miami’s current form.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 229.5 (-110) for 1 unit is the best play in the Wizards-Heat matchup. This projected total is at least 3 points higher than the previous two Wizards-Heat games this year, and this is coming off the heels of a meeting that went Under the total by 24.5 points.
Furthermore, the Over has cashed in nine of their last 12 meetings, the Wizards are 25-15-1 O/U with a plus-5.8 total margin on the road and the Heat are 27-17 O/U at home since the beginning of last season.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- NBA All-Star 2021: Rookies absent from initial fan voting results (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Wizards | Heat
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